Ph.D. Training Program in Basic Immunology

描述（由申请人提供）：梅奥研究生院免疫学博士培训计划的主要目标是培养杰出的独立研究者，以指导学术界，工业界或政府实验室的研究项目。目前有25名博士预科生就读于生物医学科学博士课程免疫学方向，17名资金充足的研究人员组成了培训师资队伍。正在积极招募另外四名免疫学家。针对本科生和新大学毕业生的研究项目已经开发出来，以便从主流和代表性不足的少数民族候选人中招募优秀的研究生。拟议的博士培训包括严格的教学课程，强调研究训练和沟通技巧。在前两年，免疫学学生在生物化学、分子生物学和细胞生物学方面有很强的基础知识，并接受免疫学方面的高级培训。学生在选择一个实验室进行论文研究之前，至少要完成3个实验室的轮转。学生的第二年致力于开发一个论文项目，最终以书面提案描述的问题，意义，并在论文研究中要追求的方法。在第二年结束时，全面的书面和口头资格考试用于评估学生的进步和能力的职业研究。一个由五名教师组成的委员会每年与学生见面两次，指导和监督学生的进步。强调在高质量期刊上发表研究成果并在国家会议上介绍这项工作。完成博士课程的平均时间约为5.3年。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The primary goal of the Mayo Graduate School Ph.D. Training Program in Immunology is to develop outstanding independent investigators to direct research programs in academia, industry, or government laboratories. Twenty-five predoctoral students are currently enrolled in the Immunology track of the Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. Program. 17 well-funded investigators comprise the training faculty. Four additional immunologists are being actively recruited. Research programs targeting undergraduates and new college graduates have been developed to recruit outstanding graduate students among mainstream and under-represented minority candidates. The proposed Ph.D. training includes a rigorous didactic curriculum and emphasizes research training and communication skills. During the first two years, Immunology students develop strong fundamental knowledge in biochemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology and acquire advanced training in Immunology. Students complete a series of at least 3 laboratory rotations before selecting a laboratory for their thesis research. The student's second year is dedicated to developing a thesis project, culminating in a written proposal delineating the questions, significance, and approaches to be pursued in the thesis research. At the end of the second year, comprehensive written and oral qualifying exams are used to evaluate student progress and aptitude for a career in research. A committee of five faculty members meets with the student twice a year to mentor and supervise the student's progress. Publication of research findings in quality journals and presentation of this works at national meetings is emphasized. The average time to completion of the Ph.D. Program is approximately 5.3 years. Students are mentored to identify outstanding postdoctoral training opportunities. 80% of the 30 Ph.D. graduates from our program, who have now finished their fellowship training, are currently independent investigators in academia (60%) or industry (20%). Three of the remaining graduates are career scientists in established laboratories and two have transitioned from academic positions to clinical careers. The program continues to attract outstanding students with 6 new Mayo graduate students selecting the Immunology Ph.D. track in 2005. We request support for 4 training positions for the next funding period.